Greiderer claims Continental Cup victory in Ruka

Lukas Greiderer emerged victorious in the men’s second Nordic Combined Continental Cup competition of the weekend in Ruka, Finland, capping a demanding Lapland double-header with a strong cross-country performance.

As on Saturday, Norway’s Alvin Le set the pace in the morning ski jumping round on the Rukatunturi HS142, flying 141 meters for 147.1 points to start first in the 10 km race. Greiderer was second after a 137 m jump (140.3 pts), 27 seconds back, with Czechia’s Lukas Dolezal third after 139.5 m (139.5 pts), 30 seconds behind.

In the afternoon, Le could not convert his advantage to a podium but, at 17 and in his first COC weekend, he achieved a career-best fifth place. Greiderer, runner-up on Saturday, skied powerfully to take the lead and secure the fifth Continental Cup victory of his career.

Germany’s Tristan Sommerfeldt, Saturday’s winner, impressed again. Starting seventh and 1:22 down after the jump, he charged through the field to finish second, 20.1 seconds behind Greiderer. Austria’s Andreas Gfrerer completed the podium in third, 24.2 seconds back. Germany’s Benedikt Graebert clocked the fastest 10 km time at 24:59.2, climbing from 23rd into the top 10 overall.

After two Ruka competitions, Sommerfeldt and Greiderer share the overall Continental Cup lead with 190 points apiece, each posting one win and one second place over the weekend.